To improve flexibility and mobility, athletes and active individuals often rely on several forms of stretching. These involve lengthening or flexing a muscle or tendon to promote enhanced elasticity.

When talking specifics, stretching terminology can get confusing. “Passive” and “static” generally refer to the same old-school method of relaxing into a stretch and holding it for 30 to 60 seconds.

Maintaining flexibility is an important part of a healthy, active aging lifestyle. Bone density and muscle mass naturally decline over time, leading to taking shorter steps, hunching, and fractures.